5 Reasons Not to Buy the iPhone 5s Right Now

Apple’s iPhone 5s is a solid budget smartphone and it’s about to get better thanks to the company’s iOS 9 update. That said, the iPhone 5s is not a phone that you should buy right now. Here’s why.

Its been nearly two years since Apple launched the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, the two devices that replaced Apple’s iPhone 5 on shelves. Last year, the iPhone 5s has been replaced by the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus though it’s still an option for those looking to buy a new iPhone.

The iPhone 5s might not have the best hardware on the block but it is in possession of updated software and a budget price point. The iPhone 5s also stands to improve once the iOS 9 update and its performance boosts roll out this fall.

Normally, we’d recommend the iPhone 5s to those looking for a budget phone or a device with a smaller display. We can’t recommend the iPhone 5s right now though.

Right now is a bad time to be a smartphone shopper because we’re entering one of the busiest times of the year. Companies like Apple, Google and Samsung are prepping new software and hardware for the holiday shopping season and we’re now extremely close to several new and important smartphone launches.

We realize that everyone situation is a little different but if you can, you should hold off on buying the iPhone 5s, at least for a few weeks.

iPhone 6c Rumors

In the past few weeks, we’ve started to see iPhone 6c rumors fly around. The name “iPhone 6c” refers to a device that will supposedly be a successor to the iPhone 5c, the plastic device that arrived alongside the iPhone 5s back in 2013.

Most believe that the iPhone 6c and its 4-inch display won’t launch until next year, if it even launches at all. However, there are some that believe that Apple could launch it this year alongside its two flagship devices, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Blass is known for leaking accurate information and this leaves the door open for three iPhones at the company’s rumored event in September.

The iPhone 6c will almost certainly be a budget device and it could appeal to those of you that are looking to snag a device like the iPhone 5s. With an event rumored for early September, we only have a few weeks to go before we find out for sure.

iPhone 6s Launch Date Close

Apple’s annual iPhone event is rumored for September 9th. This information comes from a reliable source. So while we haven’t seen Apple sent out media invites just yet, there’s a very good chance that we’ll see new iPhones arrive in early September.

There, Apple’s expected to announce at least two new iPhones, three if the iPhone 6c decides to make an appearance this year. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have been rumored for several months now and all signs point to their arrival next month.

Analysts believe that the Force Touch displays, the upgrades to the processing power and battery life, and the new cameras will be the biggest pieces of the iPhone 6s puzzle. All three would be huge upgrades and to us, they’re worth waiting for. Remember, new iPhones only come once a year.

It’s also worth remembering that iPhone release dates tend to come two weeks after a launch event. In other words, you’ll probably be able to compare the iPhone 5s to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in September.

If you can wait a little longer than that, Google’s also reportedly planning a huge smartphone launch later this year. The company is rumored to have a Nexus 5 2015 and Nexus 6 2015 up its sleeve for 2015. And with an Android M update confirmed for Q3, there’s a good chance that it announces both of these phones in September.

You may not like any of these phones but we still believe they’re worth waiting for. When it comes to buying a new smartphone, you want to have as many options on the table as possible and the four of these phones will almost certainly be excellent options.

At this point, there’s no reason to pay full price ($99 for 16GB, $149 for 32GB) for this phone. It’s almost two years old. We fully expect to see a number of iPhone 5s deals emerge between now and the end of the year so even if you’re dead set on buying the phone, you should wait.

Android Deals

With so many Android phones on the way, we’re also expecting big price drops on big name Android phones.

Devices like the Galaxy Note 4, Nexus 6, LG G4, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 Edge should all drop in price in the days, weeks and months ahead as retailers and carriers make them look appealing next to the upcoming wave of flagships.

At this point, with the market as volatile as it is, we think it’s worth waiting a few more weeks to see where devices fall to. The iPhone 5s isn’t the only powerful, budget option in town.

That's big news for current iPhone 5s users and those who are thinking about picking it up because it means that the iPhone 5s could get two more years of software updates. Apple usually offers three but we've seen it shift to a four year for both iPhone and iPad. Android phones simply can't match this kind of support.

What's more is that the iPhone 5s' next update could be a big one. iOS 9 is focused on delivering improved performance for older devices and the iPhone 5s, like Apple's other older iOS devices, stands to benefit from it.

The iPhone 5s still has a lot of life left in it and that makes it an investment worth considering now and in the weeks and months down the road.

One Comment

Jet

08/11/2015 at 10:44 am

Speaking from personal experience….STEER CLEAR FROM ALL NEXUS DEVICES…Here is why:

Because Google doesn’t support them….as soon as you run into any issue. Google will simply send you to the manufacturer, even if it is a software issue. The hardware manufacturer will then point you back to Google Support if it smells like a software issue…and neither party will budge.

RESULT: What seems like a good deal when you purchased the phone will turn into a nightmare if you have any issues with the phone (and believe me the Nexus devices have a LOT of issues). You’ll be stuck in the middle with no support and or worse a useless piece of plastic (as was my case).